By Jody Tuso-Key; Managing Editor

Photo Credit – Casey Gardner Ford Photography

Aurora Theatre is wowing audiences through June 21 with IN THE HEIGHTS!

Before HAMILTON became a cultural phenomenon and turned history class into the hottest ticket in town, Lin-Manuel Miranda was lighting up Broadway with IN THE HEIGHTS—a musical that proves you don’t need Founding Fathers to create theatrical fireworks.

Set in the vibrant Washington Heights neighborhood near where Miranda grew up, IN THE HEIGHTS bursts onto the stage with enough energy to power Manhattan for a week. The story follows Usnavi, a charismatic bodega owner caught between chasing a dream and holding on to the community that shaped him. Around him swirls a neighborhood full of dreamers, schemers, strivers, romantics, and lovable busybodies who feel less like characters and more like the people arguing over dominoes outside a bodega on a summer afternoon.

In this production, director Ricardo Aponte, music director Ann-Carol Pence, and the entire cast and crew don’t merely blend hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and “No me diga!”—they throw it all into a blender, crank it to eleven, and somehow produce pure magic. Every show-stopping number feels like a celebration, every ballad tugs at the heartstrings, and the rapping is outstanding.  The show practically dares audiences to sit still, and judging by the tapping feet throughout the theatre, it’s a dare most people lose.

What elevates IN THE HEIGHTS beyond a high-energy street party is its enormous heart. Beneath the infectious syncopated rhythms lies a story about family, identity, sacrifice, and the complicated relationship between where we come from and where we hope to go. The show tackles these themes with warmth, humor, and just enough emotional punch to leave audiences reaching discreetly for tissues.

Aurora always finds a way to involve the audience in the fun. This time, there are “lotto” scratch-off tickets for sale in the lobby along with an array of Latin American flags to be waved at a certain point in the show. The moment audiences enter the theatre, they’re transported to a slice of Upper Manhattan, complete with the George Washington Bridge looming in the background like a neighborhood landmark watching over the block. This is Washington Heights circa 2008, before most people had smartphones with 24/7 social media. It was the dawn of soaring rents, intended to spur the rapid gentrification that began reshaping Manhattan communities that many immigrant families had built while pursuing their version of the American Dream.

The setting is brilliantly realized by scenic designers Shannon Robert and Brandon Roak–complete with the George Washington Bridge looming upstage center. Maria Christina Fuste adds even more magic with her lighting design, which includes Fourth of July fireworks glowing in the distance. Daniel Pope and Daniel Terry expertly balance the live orchestra with the vocals, while Ricardo Aponte’s choreography transforms fire escapes, sidewalks, and city streets into a kinetic playground. At times, it feels as though the entire neighborhood is dancing its way North to South from 155th Street to Dyckman and West to East from the Hudson to the Harlem rivers and Coogan’s Bluff. Even a trip on the A train to the corner store somehow becomes worthy of a standing ovation.

For those of us who saw Aurora produce IN THE HEIGHTS ten (yes, TEN!) years ago, you’ll spot some familiar faces alongside an impressive group of newcomers.

USNAVI – Diego Clock-Perez – Diego reprises his role and could easily pass for one of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s cousins. He’s the perfect choice for Usnavi and somehow appears not to have aged a day in ten years. Usnavi is the unofficial mayor of Washington Heights and owner of the neighborhood bodega. Armed with a quick wit, a huge heart, and approximately 47 different lottery-ticket theories, he dreams of escaping to the Dominican Republic while secretly realizing that home may already be exactly where he belongs.

NINA ROSARIO – Isa Martinez – I’ve enjoyed watching Isa grow as an artist since her debut in Aurora’s AppCo several years ago. I’ve seen her on stage countless times, and she never fails to impress. Nina is the neighborhood’s golden child—smart, ambitious, and carrying enough pressure to make a diamond nervous. Back home from Stanford and questioning everything, she discovers that finding yourself can be harder than getting into an Ivy League school.

BENNY – Russell Alexander II – Another Aurora AppCo alumnus, Russell brings the thunder in every role he tackles. As Benny, he embodies the Rosario dispatch employee with smooth moves, a smooth smile, and absolutely no chill when it comes to Nina. Benny proves that confidence, charisma, and a good salsa step can take you almost anywhere.

VANESSA – Lauren Horgen – Lauren is a newcomer to Aurora but boasts an impressive résumé, including touring nationally with ON YOUR FEET! She is delightful as Vanessa—fashionable, fierce, and determined to upgrade both her apartment and her life. Vanessa knows exactly what she wants and refuses to settle for less, especially when Usnavi’s awkward flirting enters the picture.

ABUELA CLAUDIA – Felicia Hernandez – Felicia reprises her role as Abuela Claudia, and her strong vocals are even more impressive than I remembered. Abuela Claudia is the heart and soul of the neighborhood. She’s everybody’s grandmother, whether they like it or not. Armed with wisdom, warmth, and enough love to power an entire city block, she reminds everyone to practice “paciencia y fe” and never forget where they came from.

KEVIN ROSARIO – Anthony Rodriguez – Once again, Aurora co-founder Anthony Rodriguez reprises his role as Nina’s father and proud owner of a taxi company. Kevin would move mountains for his daughter—sometimes whether she asks him to or not. His love language is sacrifice, concern, and the occasional overreaction. Combined with Anthony’s natural instincts as a performer, resulting in an unexpectedly funny and deeply lovable father figure.

CAMILA ROSARIO – Denise Arribas – Denise expertly portrays the no-nonsense glue holding the Rosario family together. Practical, compassionate, and frequently the smartest person in the room, Camila has mastered the art of balancing family drama with grace.

SONNY – Alex De La Vega – Fresh out of the School of the Arts at Central Gwinnett, Alex makes his presence known as Usnavi’s cousin, employee, and full-time agent of chaos. Sonny has opinions about everything, filters nothing, and has enough energy to rival three cups of strong Dominican coffee before breakfast.

DANIELA – Lilliangina Quinones – Lilliangina brings powerhouse vocals and all the neighborhood tea as Daniela, owner of the local salon and unofficial information headquarters of Washington Heights. If information is power, Daniela could run for mayor and win in a landslide.

CARLA – Jacky Segui – Jacky is a joy to watch as Daniela’s somewhat clueless but fiercely loyal sidekick and partner-in-crime. Carla delivers laughs, sass, and perfectly timed commentary while proving every queen deserves a trusted court jester.

GRAFFITI PETE – Akeem Edwards – Akeem owns the stage with both his dance moves and swagger. Pete is part street artist, part neighborhood mystery, and completely misunderstood. He sees beauty where others see blank walls and leaves his mark on Washington Heights in more ways than one.

PIRAGUA GUY – Brian Montemayor – Brian is a longtime friend who began his Aurora journey as an ensemble member in IN THE HEIGHTS ten years ago. He lends his beautiful voice and effortless charm to Piragua Guy, a one-man entrepreneurial empire armed with flavored ice and relentless determination. In his ongoing battle against modern convenience, he proves tradition never goes out of style.

Let’s not forget the outstanding ensemble, who, along with the cast and crew, survived their own real-life blackout when the roof of their rehearsal hall collapsed. The ensemble explodes onto the stage with the kind of authentic New York energy that makes you feel like you’ve just stepped off the A train at the 190th Street station. Ensemble standouts include Kari Twyman Walker and Joel Harlan-Ledbetter, who pull focus with their dancing and joyous expressions in the best way!

I’ve been attending shows at Aurora Theatre for more than a decade and consider it my theatre home, so much so that I’ve moved to Lawrenceville. Ann-Carol Pence helped me get my start with Speakeysie, and Aurora was the very first theatre on our client list. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as a teaching artist for Aurora and loved every minute of that experience. Even though I come from European immigrant families, I also have strong Latino roots, having lived in New Mexico for over half my life and being immersed in the Latin American culture that permeates the American Southwest. 

Because of those connections, I’m especially happy to say that, in my humble opinion, this is one of the finest productions I’ve seen on any Aurora stage. It delivers diversity, equity, and inclusion along with every emotion imaginable. The intimacy of the Clyde and Sandra Strickland Grand Stage makes the audience feel like honorary residents of the neighborhood.

Most importantly, IN THE HEIGHTS celebrates something modern life often overlooks: community. In a world obsessed with social media followers and individual success stories, this musical reminds us that nobody gets anywhere alone. The true star of the show isn’t any one character—it’s Washington Heights itself.

By curtain call, audiences leave with full hearts, huge smiles, and an overwhelming urge to move into the neighborhood immediately. IN THE HEIGHTS isn’t just a musical; it’s an invitation to a block party where everyone is welcome, the music never stops, and the soul of the community shines brighter than the Manhattan skyline.

Verdict: A joyous, heartfelt, rhythm-packed celebration of dreams, family, and finding your place in the world. IN THE HEIGHTS is Speakeysie HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and leaves you feeling better than winning the lottery without having to split the ticket.

Speaking of tickets, get yours before they sell out!

As always, thanks for your readership, and peace be with you.